Two Blairmont Sugar Estate workers, injured on the job, are expected to be paid advances from GuySuCo, after they were unable to access benefits from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
According to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), GuySuCo is in arrears with contributions to the NIS and as a result, the two workers, Nipaul Omrow and Nazeer Hussain, were unable to obtain their benefits that would have covered their medical expenses.
The workers sustained injuries to their hands while working at the punts at the factory early last month. The issue resulted in a strike at the estate on Monday that was resolved after a meeting between GAWU representatives and GuySuCo.
GAWU General Secretary of Seepaul Narine said it was determined that the workers will be paid an advance to cover their expenses incurred while seeking treatment.
He added that the two men, who almost had their fingers severed, had made several unsuccessful trips to the NIS to access benefits. According to him, the problem was one in which the NIS has failed to process the men’s contributions.
GAWU has urged that the NIS pay the workers their benefits without any delay in keeping with its legal obligations.
